2004 Ford Explorer Automatic Transmission Problems
- 308
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 308 stored complaint records:
- 13 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- transmission problem · 10 records
- transmission failure · 10 records
- shifting reverse · 9 records
- gear shift · 9 records
- transmission fluid · 8 records
- same problem · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 113 |
| 30–60k mi | 66 |
| 60–100k mi | 63 |
| 100–150k mi | 11 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Automatic Transmission · Equipment
I own a 2004 ford explorer on 7/14/2008 i took it to the ford dealer ship due to my o/d light flashing. I was told i would need a new transmission $3,200.00 dollars so they replaced the transmission,i picked up my explorer on 7/28/2004 and only drove it 30 miles and the o/d light began flashing again and the transmission was not passing gears. Now this is a new transmission the dealer ship was contacted and they now…
ODI 10236536
Automatic Transmission
We own a 2004 ford explorer. The ford recall to remedy factory transmission fluid problem was a band-aid to fix liver cancer. The transmission jumps into reverse a few seconds after shifting, and the shifts when going forward are "jerky". Ford has tried to placate owners with an additive. The problem is ongoing. Nothing has been done to correct the problem. *tr
ODI 10279396
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer, still has harsh shift from park to rear, have to press brake hard so car does not jerk when shifting to rear, fluid was replaced by ford dealer 2 years ago but harsh shifting never addressed since it was on and off 2 years ago, presently happens much more often. *tr
ODI 10233006
Automatic Transmission
2004 ford explorer. Gear shift lever broke off in my hand when shifting from park to reverse. Transmission indicator stuck between park and reverse. Vehicle could start but not move. Key stuck in ignition. Shift lever broke off at metal cast inside column. Towed to ford dealer. Needs entire steering column replaced to fix this part, cost over $1000. Others with same problem due to defective part. Called ford hq, but…
ODI 10232800
Automatic Transmission
Purchased used 2004 explorer xlt 12/6/07 at 53,000 miles. Approx 6 mos later, it began having delayed shifting and would jerk into reverse. At times i had pulled out too far into the road and needed to back up to avoid a collision and the car would not safely reverse quickly. It would hesitate and then jerk into reverse at a high speed. The tranny would slip after slowing down and then accelerating. Once after…
ODI 10258940
Automatic Transmission
I purchased a 2004 eddie bauer 4.0 liter explorer. The previous owner brought the vehicle back for all recalls, particularly those related to the transmission. This included a complete trans fluid flush even though the ford states the 1st maint. On tranny is 100 k miles, changed the front seal that supposedly "corrodes in the presence of the old transmission fluid', and had the solenoid body changed to correct the…
ODI 10229876
Automatic Transmission
Purchased 2004 ford explorer used with 9k miles on it. Immediately noticed strong jerking movement when putting into reverse. Dealership fixed the problem, stated it was common. Now 43k miles, same problem; much stronger. I'm noticing this jerking while driver forward as well. On occasion the car will just jump forwarded as if someone was jumping on the gas pedal. I've read similar complaints, some with injuries on…
ODI 10227563
Automatic Transmission
I purchased a 2004 ford explorer last year. Almost immediately after the purchase but after warranty expiration i had to pay for a new wheel bearing. A few months ago i had the car serviced and was told the rear differential has issues. A loud roar as i drive. About a month ago i heard the familiar sound of another wheel bearing talking to me. I pick my daughter up everyday from school and rely on this vehicle to be…
ODI 10228082
Automatic Transmission · Body
2004 ford explorer transmission clunking and shifting roughly, taking long time to engage cause vehicle to roll back, does not seem to engage for a period of time. Also whines so loud folks in back seat can't hear front seat people talking. Appears each time driven. Was that way when purchased new and dealer fixed it, now once again same issue. *tr
ODI 10345723
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2004 ford explorer. About two weeks ago, i went to shift from park to reverse so i could back out of my driveway. The gear shifter broke off in my hand. It was dangling by some sort of cord. I could not shift into park, and could not get the key out of the ignition. I had to leave the car in neutral and put the parking brake on. I've had three mechanics look at it, and all of them said this is not something…
ODI 10226977
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. When placing the vehicle in a parked position the vehicle it rolled backwards even when it was on a level surface. On one occasion the vehicle rolled backward and crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries. When the failure occurred she notices the over drive light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The dealer stated that her second gear was missing;…
Crash reported
ODI 10266476
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving the transmission will slip from second to third gear. The vehicle shifts very roughly into the reverse gear. Also the glass from the rear window has loosened from the frame due to the clips. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 99,240.
ODI 10296094
Automatic Transmission
Purchased a 2004 ford explorer new at a local dealership. I started having transmission problem soon after purchase. Not shifting into reverse properly. Took the vehicle several times back to dealership. Received transmission additive recall and took vehicle back again. About 5,000 miles after additive transmission problems worsened. Solenoid replace at 20,000 miles and again at 35,000 with other transmission parts…
ODI 10220407
Automatic Transmission
I just purchased a used ford explorer xlt from a dealer and took for test drive seemed ok purchased the vehicle and noticed the next day upon driving that the transmission going from park to reverse out of my garage took a few seconds before cluncking into gear almost causing me to hit my garage i took to my mechanic which he changed out my fluid adding the additive that he new was required he owns a trans shop and…
ODI 10220202
Automatic Transmission
My vehicle when put in reverse will hesitate then engage approx. 30 sec. Later as if rearended. When i am in drive and accelerate my 04 explorer xlt will hesitate then engaged. *tr
ODI 10220328
Automatic Transmission
I purchased a 2004 ford explorer in november 2006 with 16,000 miles. At approximately 30,000 miles, i noticed that it shifted hard going into 3rd gear as i accelerated. The transmission would rev up, then shift with a thud. I do not drive the vehicle hard. This was noticed during normal in town driving. This happened intermittently. At 38,000 miles i took it to a ford dealership to have it checked (as my extended…
ODI 10235367
Automatic Transmission
Hi! My 2004 for explorer has been suffering from transmission problems for over 3 years. The car was taken to the dealer for repair while under warranty multiple times with the dealer doing little to satisfy me or address the issue. The problem has gotten progressively worse to a point that it has become a public hazard to drive. It seems to jump in and out of gear as it wishes with a clunking sound, especially when…
Crash reported
ODI 10219007
Automatic Transmission · Body · Cruise Control · Electrical System · Hub
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. When he activated the cruise control while driving, it deactivated itself without warning. He had to restart the vehicle to re-set the error code. The failure occurred intermittently, and mostly on the interstate. Also when he would turn on the turn signals, the automatic warning system would make an alarm noise and blink until the turn signal would cut off. The automatic…
ODI 10291050
Automatic Transmission · Mechanical
2004 ford explorer transmission failure, shift slippage, delayed acceleration. *tr
ODI 10216785
Automatic Transmission
We purchased a 2004 ford explorer 4.0 liter v6 approximately 6 months ago (46,000 miles). Shortly after the purchase the vehicle began to shift hard from "park" into "reverse". The vehicle also shifts hard while in motion. It feels as if the vehicle has accelerated on it's own. Mechanic advised the transmission will cost approximately $600.00 in parts, and approximately $800.00 in labor. It is unknown how long the…
ODI 10230776
Automatic Transmission
I own a 2004 ford explorer and in 2006 i had to have the solenoid shifters replaced in my vehicle. After researching this problem on the internet i have found that this transmission problem is very common with the 2004 explorer model. My vehicle is now out of warranty and the same problem has occurred again. My hope is that you will take this complaint and research for yourself the many people experiencing the same…
ODI 10216423
Automatic Transmission
Took car back to the dealer i purchased it from, complained of a rough shift into reverse, technician said normal with this transmission, took it to another dealer in city where i work they found the problem to be a solenoid in the transmission and it was repaired under warranty. 20000 miles later and 18 months later the same problem diagnosed, not in warranty any longer i contacted ford and they gave me a decision…
ODI 10212649
Automatic Transmission
Transmission failure on ford explorer 2004... The transmission failed on my explorer, 3 of the 4 gears were gone!.... This cost $7,000 to be replaced... I believe this is unacceptable for a 3 year old car to have this type of problem at this cost. Not to mention i worked with a guy who had an explorer and a mountaineer and the transmission went on both of those vehicles.. They were an 02 and 04. Then this past week…
ODI 10280424
Automatic Transmission
1 - transmission shifts hard into reverse. Starting happening at approx. 11k miles. Took to dealer twice under warranty to have repairs made, but still shifted hard. One repair at 11k and one repair at 34k. Each time i was told that this was 'normal' by dealer (bergstrom ford of neenah). However, after repeated complaints, dealer (bergstrom ford of neenah) made repairs that they believed would help resolve the…
ODI 10214611
Automatic Transmission
The transmission in my '04 ford explorer shifts incredibly hard, will stall in mid shift, and can slip into reverse from park at anytime. I am one of thousands of owners in the 2002-2005 years in which ford/mercury put these transmissions into explorers and mountaineers and they are junk. Something needs to be done by ford being they've fixed the problem in their 2006 models. The dealers don't know how to fix the…
ODI 10280849